Fat to cut
OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an 8-hour marathon hearing.
The avocado industry has become the seventh industry partner to join the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) biosecurity partnership.
"It's very pleasing to have the avocado industry on-board, working with the Ministry for Primary Industries and other industry partners to manage and respond to the most important biosecurity risks," says Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.
Avocados are New Zealand's third largest fresh fruit export. In the 2014-2015 season the industry produced 7.1 million trays of avocados worth around $135 million.
"The GIA means the industry can work in partnership and contribute their time, expertise, and resources to achieve better biosecurity outcomes," he says.
"Biosecurity is a shared responsibility and we need the input of industry and the wider public to make the system as effective as possible.
"I've always said biosecurity is my number one priority as Minister and this is backed up with a range of new initiatives. Last year's funding boost of $27 million has meant more detector dogs, x-ray machines and inspectors.
"We also have the new border clearance levy, a new inflight video for international passengers, and an $87 million biocontainment laboratory under construction at Wallaceville."
The New Zealand Avocado Growers' Association joins Kiwifruit Vine Health, Pipfruit New Zealand, New Zealand Pork, New Zealand Equine Health Association, Onions New Zealand, the NZ Forestry Owners Association and the Ministry for Primary Industries under GIA.
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.
Listed Canterbury milk processor Synlait’s shares have been placed in a trading halt.
OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.
A step-by-step guide helping farmers through the process of creating a Freshwater Farm Plan (FWFP) has been launched by FarmIQ.
OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…
OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…